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Nikon D5100 Flash

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GoneFishin

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Hi, I am a fire investigator and use a D5100 for my scene photos. Bulk and weight are considerations as I work in fire scenes. I need a low profile compact flash for my camera. My pop-up flash does ok most of the time, but I need a bit more light. I need something very budget friendly and be as small as possible. I would appreciate any suggestions. Btw, I am a novice at camera lengo, so please excuse my seemingly simplistic approach to my needs. thanks!!!
 
GoneFishin said:
Hi, I am a fire investigator and use a D5100 for my scene photos. Bulk and weight are considerations as I work in fire scenes. I need a low profile compact flash for my camera. My pop-up flash does ok most of the time, but I need a bit more light. I need something very budget friendly and be as small as possible. I would appreciate any suggestions. Btw, I am a novice at camera lengo, so please excuse my seemingly simplistic approach to my needs. thanks!!!
Click to expand...
Consider the Nikon SB-300:

Amazon.com : Nikon SB-300 AF Speedlight Flash for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras : On Camera Shoe Mount Flashes : Electronics

Amazon.com : Nikon SB-300 AF Speedlight Flash for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras : On Camera Shoe Mount Flashes : Electronics
www.amazon.com
 
I would stay away from that. Guide number is marginally better than on camera flash and it's using 2 AAA cells!?! AAA!?! Who's the genius who put AAA cells in a flash. If you want a really compact unit, get a used SB-400. It uses standard AA batteries and recycles faster while it's also more powerful.
 
Last edited:
Tourlou said:
I would stay away from that. Guide number is marginally better than on camera flash and it's using 2 AAA cells!?! AAA!?! Who's the genius who put AAA cells in a flash. If you want a really compact unit, get a used SB-400. It uses standard AA batteries and recycles faster while it's also more powerful.
Click to expand...
What's your issue with AAA batteries? I have plenty of devices that use AAA's.
 
Last edited:
If you need more light than the built-in flash then at least SB-600. The smaller flashes have about the same power as the built-in flash.

Look also at Metz 52-AF-1 (GN=52 m @105 mm and ISO 100). You will get 9.25 m @ f/5.6 and ISO 100. But this is at 105 mm focal length that I guess is not what you use. For wide angle it should be around 28 m.

SB 600 has a GN of 26 m @ 24 mm and ISO 100. So at f/5.6 you will get a range of 4.6 m.
 
SB-600, 700, 800, 900, 910, 5000: 4X AA, so 12Wh capacity

SB-400: 2X AA, so 6Wh capacity

SB-300: 2X AAA, so 2.4Wh capacity

Camera guide number: 12m @ 100 ISO

SB-300 guide number: 18m @ 100 ISO

SB-400 guide number: 21m @ 100 ISO

Recycling time with new batteries:

SB-300: 5s

SB-400: 2s

AAA cells are good where you don't need power. A flasf is something else.
 
GoneFishin said:
Hi, I am a fire investigator and use a D5100 for my scene photos. Bulk and weight are considerations as I work in fire scenes. I need a low profile compact flash for my camera. My pop-up flash does ok most of the time, but I need a bit more light. I need something very budget friendly and be as small as possible. I would appreciate any suggestions. Btw, I am a novice at camera lengo, so please excuse my seemingly simplistic approach to my needs. thanks!!!
Click to expand...
Camera guys rate flash power by Guide Number (GN, expressed in ft or meters). Your D5100 built-in flash has a GN of 12m or 39ft. When looking for more powerful flashes, check the specifications and look for a GN bigger than 12m. A typical general-purpose flash has a guide number somewhere around 30-60m.

Other important considerations in the specifications are
  • TTL operation compatible with Nikon, this means the flash and camera will work together to get the right exposure.
  • rotating & tilting head for bounce flash, remote operation (helps with NFPA 921 Sec 8-2.2.6. Lighting)
  • recycle times or how long it takes to recharge the capacitor after a full-power flash.
  • number of full-power flashes you'll get on a fresh set of batteries.
Godox TTL flashes are the current darlings in the photography world, cheap, works well. Most models (maybe all?) can be operated remotely by buying a cheap radio unit (X1T-N). Durability seems OK but they're so cheap if it breaks you just buy another one. In the USA, they're sold at Adorama.com using the Flashpoint brand for more localized customer support

Godox TT350N (GN=36m) is pretty small but uses only 2 AA batteries for 210 full-power flashes.

Godox TT685N (GN=60m) is larger, more powerful, 4 AA's for 230 full power flashes.

Godox V860IIN (GN=60m) has a custom Li-ON battery pack for 650 full power flashes.
 
lehill said:
Godox TTL flashes are the current darlings in the photography world, cheap, works well. Most models (maybe all?) can be operated remotely by buying a cheap radio unit (X1T-N). Durability seems OK but they're so cheap if it breaks you just buy another one. In the USA, they're sold at Adorama.com using the Flashpoint brand for more localized customer support
Click to expand...
This. I found the Nikon-brand flashes to be grossly overpriced.

I chose Youngnuo but I wasn't shopping for a compact flash.
 
lehill said:
GoneFishin said:
Hi, I am a fire investigator and use a D5100 for my scene photos. Bulk and weight are considerations as I work in fire scenes. I need a low profile compact flash for my camera. My pop-up flash does ok most of the time, but I need a bit more light. I need something very budget friendly and be as small as possible. I would appreciate any suggestions. Btw, I am a novice at camera lengo, so please excuse my seemingly simplistic approach to my needs. thanks!!!

lehill wrote:
Click to expand...
Godox TTL flashes are the current darlings in the photography world, cheap, works well. ...

Godox TT350N (GN=36m) is pretty small but uses only 2 AA batteries for 210 full-power flashes.

Godox TT685N (GN=60m) is larger, more powerful, 4 AA's for 230 full power flashes.

Godox V860IIN (GN=60m) has a custom Li-ON battery pack for 650 full power flashes.
Click to expand...
 
lehill said:
GoneFishin said:
Hi, I am a fire investigator and use a D5100 for my scene photos. Bulk and weight are considerations as I work in fire scenes. I need a low profile compact flash for my camera. My pop-up flash does ok most of the time, but I need a bit more light. I need something very budget friendly and be as small as possible. I would appreciate any suggestions. Btw, I am a novice at camera lengo, so please excuse my seemingly simplistic approach to my needs. thanks!!!
Click to expand...
Camera guys rate flash power by Guide Number (GN, expressed in ft or meters). Your D5100 built-in flash has a GN of 12m or 39ft. When looking for more powerful flashes, check the specifications and look for a GN bigger than 12m. A typical general-purpose flash has a guide number somewhere around 30-60m.

Other important considerations in the specifications are
  • TTL operation compatible with Nikon, this means the flash and camera will work together to get the right exposure.
  • rotating & tilting head for bounce flash, remote operation (helps with NFPA 921 Sec 8-2.2.6. Lighting)
  • recycle times or how long it takes to recharge the capacitor after a full-power flash.
  • number of full-power flashes you'll get on a fresh set of batteries.
Godox TTL flashes are the current darlings in the photography world, cheap, works well. Most models (maybe all?) can be operated remotely by buying a cheap radio unit (X1T-N). Durability seems OK but they're so cheap if it breaks you just buy another one. In the USA, they're sold at Adorama.com using the Flashpoint brand for more localized customer support

Godox TT350N (GN=36m) is pretty small but uses only 2 AA batteries for 210 full-power flashes.

Godox TT685N (GN=60m) is larger, more powerful, 4 AA's for 230 full power flashes.

Godox V860IIN (GN=60m) has a custom Li-ON battery pack for 650 full power flashes.
Click to expand...
 
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